MIL-STD-188-164C-C1 DRAFT 16JUN2023.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

INTERFACE STANDARD

INTEROPERABILITY OF SUPERHIGH

FREQUENCY (SHF) SATELLITE

COMMUNICATIONS TERMINALS

AMSC N/A AREA TCSS

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

MIL-STD-188-164C

w/CHANGE 1

DRAFT

SUPERSEDING

16 November 2018

NOT MEASUREMENT

SENSITIVE

NOTE: This draft, dated 01 July 2023, prepared by DISA DC1, has not been approved and is subject to modification. DO NOT USE PRIOR TO

APPROVAL. (Project TCSS-2020-001)

DRAFT DATED 01 July 2023 ii

FOREWORD

1. This standard is approved for use by all Departments and Agencies of the Department of Defense (DoD).

2. In accordance with DoD Instruction 8330.01, it is DoD policy that all IT used by DOD components must interoperate with equipment of joint, combined, and coalition forces, other

U.S. Government departments and agencies, and non-governmental organizations to the maximum extent possible.

3. Military standards (MIL-STDs) in the 188 series (MIL-STD-188-XXX) address telecommunications design parameters and are to be used in all new DoD systems and equipment, or major upgrades thereto. The MIL-STD-188 series is subdivided into a MIL-STD-

188-100 series, covering common standards for tactical and long-haul communications; a MIL-

STD-188-200 series, covering standards for tactical communications only; and a MIL-STD-188-

300 series, covering standards for long-haul communications. Emphasis is being placed on the development of common standards for tactical and long-haul communications (the MIL-STD-

188-100 series). The MIL-STD-188 series may be based on, or make reference to, American

National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, International Telecommunications Union Radio

Communication Sector (ITU-R) recommendations, International Organization for

Standardization (ISO) standards, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standardization agreements (STANAGs), and other standards, wherever applicable.

4. This standard establishes interoperability and performance requirements for satellite communications (SATCOM) earth terminals (ETs) operating with satellite transponders in the

X-band, and military Ka-bands.

5. This revised standard was updated to improve the alignment with MIL-STD-188-165, to remove references to commercial frequency bands, to clarify numerous requirements, and to include requirements for variable performance terminals.

6. Comments, suggestions, and questions on this document should be addressed to

DISA, 6910 Cooper Ave., ATTN: IE53, Fort Meade, MD 20755-5496, or emailed to henry.h.tran.civ@mail.mil. Because contact information can change, verify the currency of this address information by using the ASSIST Online database at https://assist.dla.mil.

mailto:henry.h.tran.civ@mail.mil https://assist.dla.mil/ iii

CONTENTS

PARAGRAPH PAGE

FOREWORD ............................................................................................................. ii

1 SCOPE

1.1 Scope

1.2 Applicability

1.3 Certification Authority

1.4 Additional requirements

1.5 Deviation from the standard

1.6 Document structure

2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 General

2.2 Government documents

2.2.1 Specifications, standards, and handbooks

2.2.2 Other Government documents, drawings, and publications

2.3 Non-Government publications

2.4 Order of precedence

3 DEFINITIONS

3.1 Definitions of terms

3.2 Abbreviations

3.3 Antenna pointing

3.3.1 Accuracy

3.4 Antenna pointing loss

3.5 Antenna tracking

3.6 dBc

3.7 dBi

3.8 dBm

3.9 dBW

3.10 Earth terminal (ET)

iv

3.11 Effective isotropically radiated power (EIRP)

3.12 EIRP spectral density

3.13 Equivalent diameter

3.13.1 External frequency reference

3.14 Extraneous emissions

3.15 G/T

3.16 Harmonics

3.17 Instantaneous bandwidth

3.17.1 Internal frequency reference

3.18 IF input

3.19 IF output

3.20 Maximum linear power

3.20.1 On-axis EIRP spectral density limit

3.20.2 Single carrier maximum linear power

3.20.3 Two carrier maximum linear power

3.21 Reception function

3.22 Satellite system

3.23 Saturated power

3.23.1 Spurious

3.23.2 Stability

3.24 Transmission function

3.25 Variable Performance Terminal

4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1 General

4.2 Transmission function

4.2.1 Transmit chain alignment

4.2.1.1 IF input level

4.2.2 RF frequency bands

4.2.3 Tuning

4.2.4 Transmit signal level stability

4.2.5 Carrier frequency accuracy and stability

v

4.2.6 Carrier power control accuracy, step size, and range

4.2.7 Transmit phase linearity

4.2.8 Transmit amplitude response

4.2.9 Alternating current power line

4.2.10 Single sideband

4.2.11 Phase noise

4.2.12 Transmit thermal noise EIRP

4.2.13 Transmission function extraneous outputs

4.2.14 Harmonic emissions

4.2.15 Transmit-to-receive isolation

4.2.16 Intermodulation products in the receive band

4.2.17 Transmit spectrum inversion

4.2.18 Input impedance

4.2.19 Transmit IF frequency

4.3 Reception function

4.3.1 RF frequency bands

4.3.2 Maximum power flux densities (PFDs)

4.3.2.1 X-band

4.3.2.2 Military Ka-band

4.3.3 Receive chain gain, linearity, and IF interface characteristics

4.3.3.1 Receive Chain Absolute Gain

4.3.3.2 Reception function intermodulation products

4.3.3.3 IF Output Level Adjustment

4.3.3.4 Output Impedance

4.3.4 Tuning

4.3.5 Receive conversion frequency accuracy

4.3.6 Receive phase linearity

4.3.7 Receive amplitude response

4.3.8 Receive phase noise

4.3.9 Receive spurious output

4.3.9.1 Continuous component

vi

4.3.9.2 Discrete component

4.3.9.3 Component conditions

4.3.10 Receive spectrum inversions

4.3.11 Receive signal level stability

4.3.12 Antenna pointing loss

4.3.13 Receive IF frequency

4.4 Military Ka-band antenna requirements

4.4.1 Antenna side-lobe levels and transmit EIRP spectral density

4.4.1.1 De/λ ≥ 50

4.4.1.2 EIRP spectral density

4.4.2 Transmit and receive antenna polarization

4.4.3 Transmit and receive antenna axial ratio

4.4.4 Receive antenna polarization

4.4.5 Receive antenna axial ratio

4.5 Military X-band antenna requirements

4.5.1 Antenna side-lobe levels and transmit EIRP spectral density

4.5.1.1 De/λ ≥ 50

4.5.1.2 EIRP spectral density

4.5.2 Transmit and receive antenna polarization

4.5.3 Transmit and receive antenna axial ratio

4.5.4 Receive antenna polarization

4.5.5 Receive antenna axial ratio

4.6 Frequency references

4.6.1 GPS disciplined oscillator (GPSDO)

4.6.1.1 External time code input

4.6.1.2 Frequency stability

4.6.1.3 Allan deviation

4.6.1.3.1 GPS Conditions

4.6.1.3.2 GPS receiver cold start procedure

4.6.1.3.3 Vibration and shock

4.7 System implementation loss

vii

4.8 Variable performance terminals

5 DETAILED REQUIREMENTS

5.1 General

5.2 Phase perturbation

5.3 ET control and monitoring function

5.3.1 Control and monitoring parameters

5.3.1.1 Transmit gain

5.3.1.2 Receive gain

5.3.2 Control response times

5.3.3 ET remote control and monitoring interface

6 NOTES

6.1 Intended use

6.2 Acquisition requirements

6.3 Tailoring guidance

6.4 Subject term (keyword) listing

6.5 International standardization agreement implementation

6.6 RSS Theory

6.7 Antenna gain versus pointing variations

6.8 Accounting for pointing loss differences between uplink and downlink beams

6.9 Background and future considerations

6.10 Changes from previous issue

6.11 Change notations

APPENDIX A SATCOM OTM EARTH TERMINALS

Scope

Uplink inhibit

Antenna pointing loss

Carrier frequency accuracy and stability

Receive conversion frequency accuracy

APPENDIX B Deleted viii

APPENDIX C ARRAY-BASED SATCOM OTM EARTH TERMINALS

Scope

Deleted

Transmit-to-receive isolation

Receive signal level stability

CONCLUDING MATERIAL

FIGURES

FIGURE 1. Equivalent diameter for electronically scanned antennas

FIGURE 2. ET phase noise FIGURE 3. Ka-band EIRP spectral density mask

FIGURE 4. X-band EIRP spectral density mask

TABLES

TABLE I. Transmit allocated frequency ranges

TABLE II. Receive allocated frequency ranges TABLE III. Allan deviation TABLE IV. ET control and monitoring parameters

TABLE V. Background and Future Considerations

1 SCOPE

1.1 Scope. This standard establishes mandatory radio frequency (RF)/IF and associated interface requirements applicable to SATCOM ETs operating over military X-band and Ka-band superhigh frequency (SHF) channels. Equipment developers may exceed the requirements herein to satisfy specific program requirements, provided that interoperability is maintained. Thus, incorporating additional standard and nonstandard capabilities and interfaces is not precluded. Existing certified SHF SATCOM ETs that predate this revision may not need to conform to this MIL-STD unless they undergo modernization or modifications that alter performance for requirements listed herein.

1.2 Applicability. The interface and performance specifications contained herein apply to SATCOM ETs used to communicate through transponders on the Defense Satellite

Communications System (DSCS) and the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system.

1.3 Certification Authority. The U.S. Wideband Consolidated SATCOM System

Expert (C-SSE) is the Certification Authority (CA) for the WGS communications system and the DSCS and may be contacted at the following address:

Space Force Delta 8

Wideband Consolidated SATCOM System Expert (C-SSE)

350 Vandenberg Street

Peterson Space Force Base, CO 80914-2749 widebandengineering@groups.af.mil

1.4 Additional requirements. The CA may levy certification requirements in addition to those listed herein. Terminal designers/vendors will coordinate with the CA to obtain certification requirements specific to their terminal. Note that this document is not intended to provide information regarding how to achieve the requirements contained herein; terminal designers/vendors should refer to applicable documents issued by the CA.

1.5 Deviation from the standard.

a. If an ET requires deviation from the specifications stated herein, the Government sponsor Program Manager (PM) should process a request to deviate from the standard through the CA, in accordance with DoD Manual (DoDM) 4120.24, Defense Standardization Program

Procedures. The request should include the mission of the system, the rationale for deviating from the standard, and both the technical and cost impact if the program is not allowed to deviate from the standard. ETs that are accepted by the Government sponsor PM without first obtaining approval for deviation from the CA are acquired at program risk.

b. Throughout this document, requirements generally apply to every ET. Government sponsor PMs may, with approval from the CA as described in 1.5a, deviate from the requirements in section 4 or 5 of this document.

mailto:widebandengineering@groups.af.mil

c. Special cases of general requirements are addressed in appendices for specific types of

ETs, allowing the CA to issue a full ET certification for any ET that implements requirements as modified by that specific appendix. The program office, without approval from the CA, may instruct a manufacturer to replace a section 4 or section 5 paragraph with the appropriate appendix paragraph.

1.6 Document structure. The main body of this document addresses requirements applicable to all ETs, including stationary and mobile (OTM) ETs. Appendices addressing additional requirements, which replace specific requirements in the body of the document as described in 1.5c and are applicable to unique types of ETs, are categorized as follows:

a. Appendix A, SATCOM OTM Earth Terminals;

b. Appendix B, (Deleted);

c. Appendix C, Array-Based SATCOM OTM Earth Terminals.

2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 General. The documents listed in this section are specified in sections 3, 4, and 5 of this standard. This section does not include documents cited in other sections of this standard or recommended for additional information or as examples. While every effort has been made to ensure the completeness of this list, document users are cautioned that they must meet all specified requirements of documents cited in sections 3, 4, and 5 of this standard, whether or not they are listed in section 2.

2.2 Government documents.

2.2.1 Specifications, standards, and handbooks. The following specifications, standards, and handbooks form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these documents are those cited in the solicitation or contract.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STANDARDS

MIL-STD-188-165 - Interoperability of Superhigh Frequency (SHF)

Satellite Communications Phase-Shift Keying

(PSK) Modems

(Copies of these documents are available online at https://assist.dla.mil or from the

Standardization Document Order Desk, 700 Robbins Avenue, Building 4D, Philadelphia, PA

19111-5094.)

2.2.2 Other Government documents, drawings, and publications. The following other Government documents, drawings, and publications form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these documents are those cited in the solicitation or contract.

GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) JOINT PROGRAM OFFICE

ICD-GPS-060 - GPS User Equipment (Phase III) Interface Control

Document for the Precise Time and Time Interval

(PTTI) Interface

(Copies of this document are available online at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov.)

2.3 Non-Government publications. The following documents form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these documents are those listed in solicitation or contract.

ALLIANCE FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS (ATIS)

ATIS-0100523 - ATIS Telecom Glossary (American National Standard

T1.523)

(Copies of this document are available online at https://www.atis.org/glossary/.)

INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS (IEEE)

IEEE 802.3 - IEEE Standard for Ethernet

(Copies of this document are available online from https://www.ieee.org or from the IEEE

Service Center, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854-4141.)

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS UNION (ITU)

Recommendation

ITU-R S.580-6

- Radiation diagrams for use as design objectives for antennas of earth stations operating with geostationary satellites

Recommendation

ITU-R S.732-1

- Method for statistical processing of earth station antenna side-lobe peaks to determine excess over antenna reference patterns and conditions for acceptability of any excess

(Copies of these documents are available online from https://www.itu.int/.)

2.4 Order of precedence. Unless otherwise noted herein or in the contract, in the event of a conflict between the text of this document and the references cited herein, the text of this document takes precedence. Nothing in this document, however, supersedes applicable laws and regulations unless a specific exemption has been obtained.

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/ https://www.atis.org/glossary/ https://www.ieee.org/ https://www.itu.int/

3 DEFINITIONS

3.1 Definitions of terms. Definitions of terms not listed in this section are as defined in the ATIS Telecom Glossary.

3.2 Abbreviations. The abbreviations used in this MIL-STD are defined as follows.

AC alternating current

ANSI American National Standards Institute

ATIS Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions

CA Certification Authority

C-SSE Consolidated SATCOM Systems Expert

CEVD convolutional encoding and Viterbi decoding

CMA control, monitor, and alarm

CW continuous wave

C3I command, control, communications, and intelligence

DAGR Defense Advanced GPS Receiver

De equivalent antenna diameter

DISA Defense Information Systems Agency

DoD Department of Defense

DoDIN Department of Defense Information Networks

DoDM Department of Defense Manual

DSCS Defense Satellite Communications System

EIRP effective isotropic radiated power

ET earth terminal

GPS Global Positioning System

GPSDO Global Positioning System disciplined oscillator

GSO geostationary orbit

HPA high-power amplifier

IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

IF intermediate frequency

ISO International Organization for Standardization

ITU International Telecommunications Union

ITU-R International Telecommunications Union Radiocommunication Sector

LHCP left-hand circular polarization

LNA low-noise amplifier

MIL-STD military standard

MILSATCOM military satellite communications

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization

OTM on the move

PFD power flux density

PM Program Manager

PSD power spectral density

PSK phase-shift keying

PTTI Precise Time and Time Interval

QPSK quadrature phase-shift keying

RF radio frequency

RHCP right-hand circular polarization

RMS root mean square

Rs symbol rate

RSL received signal level

RSS root sum square

SAASM Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module

SAE Society of Automotive Engineers

SATCOM satellite communications

SHF superhigh frequency

SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol

SOW statement of work

SSE SATCOM Systems Expert

STANAG standardization agreement

VSWR voltage standing wave ratio

WGS Wideband Global SATCOM λ wavelength

3.3 Antenna pointing. The action taken by the antenna control system to command the antenna’s electrical boresight to a certain vector regardless of the antenna control system’s method of determining the vector.

3.3.1 Accuracy. The degree of conformity of a measured or calculated value to its actual or specified value.

3.4 Antenna pointing loss. The antenna gain decrease due to the angular difference between the antenna main beam gain vector and the intended satellite target vector.

3.5 Antenna tracking. Antenna tracking is the ability of an antenna to follow a signal source, such as a communications satellite.

3.6 dBc. Decibel (dB) relative to the carrier power.

3.7 dBi. In the expression of antenna gain, the number of decibels of gain of an antenna referenced to the zero dB gain of a free-space isotropic radiator.

3.8 dBm. Decibel relative to 1 mW.

3.9 dBW. Decibel relative to 1 W.

3.10 Earth terminal (ET). The portion of a satellite system that transmits and receives RF signals to and from a satellite. The ET is delimited by the IF interface to the modem and the RF interface including radome (if used). All ET and antenna specifications must be met with radome performance included. For some requirements, modem functionality is included.

3.11 Effective isotropically radiated power (EIRP). The product of the power accepted by an antenna and its gain relative to a hypothetical antenna that radiates or receives equally in all directions.

3.12 EIRP spectral density. EIRP per Hz.

3.13 Equivalent diameter. The diameter that a circular antenna would require to exhibit identical gain performance as a non-circular antenna of a given aperture size. For non-circular apertures, the equivalent diameter (De), shown on FIGURE 1FIGURE 1, may be computed by:

𝐷e = 2√𝐴/π

Where:

A = aperture area.

For electronically scanned antennas, the equivalent diameter (De) may be computed by:

𝐷e = 2√𝐴/π cos𝜓

A = aperture area.

ψ = the electronic scan angle

FIGURE 1. Equivalent diameter for electronically scanned antennas.

3.13.1 External frequency reference. Any frequency reference not part of the defined terminal system configuration.

3.14 Extraneous emissions. Emissions that result from spurious tones, bands of noise, harmonics, or other undesirable signals; intermodulation products are excluded.

3.15 G/T. G/T is the receive antenna gain-to-noise temperature ratio in dBi/K.

Minimum G/T is measured while operating with the transmitter on at maximum linear power in a clear-sky condition, at the lowest frequency in the band, at a 10° elevation angle, at 23 °C, and a water vapor density (absolute humidity) ρ = 7g/m3. G/T includes the entire reception function contributions.

3.16 Harmonics. A harmonic is a component frequency of the signal that is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency.

3.17 Instantaneous bandwidth. The range over which a system’s passband amplitude and phase response vs. frequency remain compliant without any tuning; compliance is governed by 4.2.7, 4.2.8, 4.3.6, and 4.3.7.

3.17.1 Internal frequency reference. Any frequency reference that is part of the terminal configuration including integrated local oscillators and standalone reference sources.

3.18 IF input. The first analog connection after the modulation function.

3.19 IF output. The last analog connection before the demodulation function.

3.20 Maximum linear power. For ETs with a single carrier, the definition is as stated in 3.20.1. For an ET capable of supporting multiple carriers, maximum linear power is defined as in 3.20.1 or 3.20.2, whichever yields the lesser value.

3.20.1 On-axis EIRP spectral density limit. The maximum on-axis EIRP spectral density for which all off-axis emissions do not exceed the established EIRP spectral density mask.

3.20.2 Single carrier maximum linear power. The carrier power where the first spectral regrowth side lobe (measured at 1.0 symbol rate, expressed in Hz from the carrier center frequency) of the modulated carrier is -30 dBc.

3.20.3 Two carrier maximum linear power. The maximum combined transmit power of two equal-amplitude continuous wave (CW) carriers, when any individual intermodulation product power is –25 dB relative to the combined power of the two CW carriers.

3.21 Reception function. The reception function receives RF signals from a satellite, provides low-noise amplification, and down-converts the RF signal to an IF signal. The reception function includes all of the equipment from the RF input (including radome, if used) to the IF output.

3.22 Satellite system. A communications system that includes two or more ETs, a communications satellite or a space platform, and a control system.

3.23 Saturated power. The single carrier output power level of an active device where the ratio of input power change to output power change is 10:1.

3.23.1 Spurious. Unintended signal components above the noise floor.

3.23.2 Stability. Accuracy over time.

3.24 Transmission function. The transmission function up-converts the IF signal to a

RF signal, amplifies the RF signal, and transmits the RF signal to a satellite. The transmission function includes all of the equipment from the IF input to the RF output, including radome (if used).

3.25 Variable Performance Terminal. Any terminal that exhibits variations in EIRP, G/T, off-axis EIRP spectral density, or axial ratio as a function of its main beam pointing angle and are identified as terminals with non-symmetric radomes or electronically-steerable-beam antennas.

4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1 General. Unless a specific band is identified in a paragraph, each paragraph in this section applies to all bands of operation.

4.2 Transmission function. The transmission function shall perform in accordance with 4.2.1–4.2.19.

4.2.1 Transmit chain alignment. Separate transmit alignment and power control functions shall be provided for the purpose of transmit chain gain alignment and operational

EIRP control, respectively. These functions shall be independently controlled, either in hardware (physically separate functions) or in software (independent user inputs).

4.2.1.1 IF input level. With a single 0-dBm signal applied to any IF input, the transmit chain gain shall be sufficient to achieve maximum linear EIRP.

4.2.2 RF frequency bands. The transmission function shall be tunable in one or more of the SHF frequency bands listed in TABLE ITABLE I.

TABLE I. Transmit allocated frequency ranges

SHF Frequency Band Frequency (GHz)

X-band 7.900–8.400

Military Ka-band 30.000–31.000

4.2.3 Tuning. The up-conversion function shall be tunable in 1-kHz increments, in conjunction with the modem, starting at the lowest frequency for each band, as listed in TABLE

ITABLE I.

4.2.4 Transmit signal level stability. For any setting of the transmit gain and for a constant IF input level, the transmit function output level shall not vary more than 1.8 dB peak to peak in any 24-h period.

4.2.5 Carrier frequency accuracy and stability. The radiated carrier frequency accuracy shall be within 1 kHz of the intended value for all RF carriers. The radiated carrier frequency accuracy shall be maintained for a 90-day period or more without recalibration.

4.2.6 Carrier power control accuracy, step size, and range. The absolute accuracy of the carrier power control attenuator(s) shall be within 1 dB of the selected attenuator value.

The relative accuracy associated with the smallest step increment shall be within 0.1 dB. The minimum step size shall not exceed 0.25 dB. The minimum carrier power control range shall be sufficient to attenuate the signal from maximum linear EIRP to 60 dBm EIRP as given by the following equation:

Minimum range (dB) = Maximum linear EIRP (dBm) − 60 (dBm)

The power control range can be met by using a combination of the ET and modem power adjustments. When a carrier power change is initiated, the controlled carrier’s power shall transition monotonically and shall not induce burst errors into the controlled carrier’s bit stream or into the adjacent carrier’s bit stream (with the adjacent carrier spaced at 1.2 Rs).

4.2.7 Transmit phase linearity. Departure from phase linearity of the transmission function, when operating at any point up to the maximum linear power, shall not exceed the following:

a. ±0.2 radian or less over any 2 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth;

b. ±0.4 radian over any 36 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth;

c. ±0.5 radian over any 72 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth;

d. ±0.6 radian over any 90 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth;

e. ±0.7 radian over any 120 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth.

4.2.8 Transmit amplitude response. Amplitude variations of the transmit (uplink) function, when operating at any point up to the maximum linear power, shall not exceed the following:

a. 1.0 dB peak to peak over any 10-MHz segment across the instantaneous bandwidth;

b. 3.0 dB peak to peak over any 120-MHz segment, or any smaller segment, across the instantaneous bandwidth (10 MHz < segment < 120 MHz);

c. 4.0 dB peak to peak for each output frequency band listed in TABLE ITABLE I.

4.2.9 Alternating current power line. The sum of the fundamental and all harmonic components of the alternating current (AC) line frequency shall not exceed −30 dBc.

4.2.10 Single sideband. The single sideband sum (added on a power basis) of all other individual spurious components shall not exceed −36 dBc.

4.2.11 Phase noise. The single sideband power spectral density (PSD) of the continuous phase noise component shall comply with the envelope defined in FIGURE 2FIGURE 2. If specific points associated with the measured phase noise plot exceed the FIGURE 2FIGURE 2 envelope, then the following two conditions shall be met:

a. The single sideband phase noise due to the continuous component, when integrated over the bandwidth from 10 Hz to 16 kHz relative to carrier center frequency, shall be less than

3.4° root mean square (RMS) (with a two-sided value of 4.8° RMS).

FIGURE 2. ET phase noise

b. The single sideband phase noise due to the continuous component, when integrated over the bandwidth from 1 percent of the symbol rate (Rs) to Rs Hz relative to the carrier center frequency, shall be less than the value obtained when integrating the FIGURE 2FIGURE 2 plot

-120

-110

-100

-90

-80

-70

-60

-50

-40

-30

1 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000 10000000 100000000

Si n gl e

Si d eb an d P h as e N o is e P o w er D en si ty d B c/ H z)

Frequency Offset (Hz)

A

B

C

D

E

F

G H

Point

Density

(dBc/Hz)

Frequency

Offset (Hz)

A -32 10

B -62 100

C -72 1000

D -82 10000

E -92 100000

F -102 1000000

G -112 10000000

H -112 100000000

Coordinates of Points over the same limits. This requirement shall be verified at the lowest and highest symbol rates.

This requirement applies to all operational Rs values.

4.2.12 Transmit thermal noise EIRP. With the IF input terminated, the transmission function aligned according to 4.2.1, and power control set to achieve maximum linear power, the transmit thermal noise spectral density shall not exceed −75 dBm/Hz when measured at the antenna feed.

4.2.13 Transmission function extraneous outputs. With a CW signal applied to the IF input such that maximum linear power is achieved, extraneous emissions as measured over any

10-kHz bandwidth shall not exceed the following values:

a. Transmit band: −60 dBc when measured at the feed. This requirement excludes a

2-MHz band centered on the carrier.

b. Non-transmit band: −60 dBc, except for the band 31.0 GHz ≤ f ≤ 33.0 GHz, which shall not be greater than −45 dBc at 31.0 GHz and shall decrease linearly to −60 dBc by 33.0

GHz.

4.2.14 Harmonic emissions. The level of all harmonics of the transmit carriers shall not exceed −60 dBc when measured at maximum linear power.

4.2.15 Transmit-to-receive isolation. Transmit-to-receive isolation shall be such that there is less than a 0.1-dB increase, and no decrease, in receive noise density over the applicable frequency range shown in TABLE IITABLE II with the transmitter operating at any EIRP level, compared to the receive performance with the transmitter turned off.

TABLE II. Receive allocated frequency ranges

SHF Frequency Band Frequency (GHz)

X-band 7.250–7.750

Military Ka-band 20.200–21.200

4.2.16 Intermodulation products in the receive band. When transmitting two or more modulated carriers (in any bandwidth) with the aggregate at maximum linear power, the PSD of any intermodulation product at the IF output shall be at least 17 dB below the noise PSD.

4.2.17 Transmit spectrum inversion. No spectral inversion shall exist between any IF input and the antenna output for ETs operating with non-embedded modems. ETs with embedded modems shall be interoperable with ETs that do not have embedded modems.

4.2.18 Input impedance. The IF interfaces shall have a nominal impedance of 50 Ω. The voltage standing-wave ratio (VSWR) over the IF band shall be less than 1.5:1 for IF band center frequencies below 1 GHz and 2.0:1 for IF band center frequencies above 1 GHz.

4.2.19 Transmit IF frequency. The IF input interface shall support one or more of the following frequency ranges below. Phase linearity requirements in 4.2.7 and the amplitude response requirements in 4.2.8 shall be met across the bandwidths below.

a. 950 to 2000 MHz limited to the required bandwidth as listed in TABLE ITABLE I.

b. 70 ± 18 MHz;

c. 140 ± 36 MHz;

d. 700 ± 62.5 MHz

4.3 Reception function. The reception function shall be in accordance with 4.3.1–

4.3.13.

4.3.1 RF frequency bands. The down-conversion function shall be tunable in one or more of the SHF frequency bands listed in TABLE IITABLE II.

4.3.2 Maximum power flux densities (PFDs). All reception functions shall be met with the maximum PFDs as follows:

4.3.2.1 X-band.

a. −142 dBW/m2 in any 4-kHz band in any single carrier;

b. −95 dBW/m2 across the entire 500-MHz band.

4.3.2.2 Military Ka-band.

a. −112 dBW/m2 in any 1-MHz band in any single carrier;

b. −90 dBW/m2 across the entire 1-GHz band.

4.3.3 Receive chain gain, linearity, and IF interface characteristics. The receive chain (antenna feed output interface to ET IF interface) shall exhibit the following characteristics:

4.3.3.1 Receive Chain Absolute Gain. When pointing to a cold sky at an elevation angle of not less than 30°, the receive chain absolute gain shall be sufficient to raise the IF output noise PSD to a minimum of −113 dBm/Hz.

4.3.3.2 Reception function intermodulation products. When pointing to a cold sky at an elevation angle of not less than 30°, the PSD of any intermodulation product at the IF output shall be such that there is less than a 0.1-dB increase in receive noise density at any power and bandwidth combination equivalent to the antenna receiving the maximum power flux density per carrier bandwidth, and up to the maximum aggregate power flux density, both as given in 4.3.2.

4.3.3.3 IF Output Level Adjustment. When ET is pointed to an operational satellite, the receive chain absolute gain may be reduced to assist in complying with the linearity requirement described in 4.3.3.2, provided that the minimum IF output noise power spectral density described in 4.3.3.1 continues to be met. Any increase in system noise due to a reduction in receive chain absolute gain shall be incorporated into the terminal’s G/T.

4.3.3.4 Output Impedance. The IF interfaces shall have a nominal impedance of 50 Ω.

The voltage standing-wave ratio (VSWR) over the IF band shall be less than 1.5:1 for IF band centers below 1 GHz and 2.0:1 for IF band centers above 1 GHz.

4.3.4 Tuning. The down-conversion function shall be tunable in 1.0-kHz increments, in conjunction with the modem, starting at the lowest frequency for each band as listed in

TABLE IITABLE II.

4.3.5 Receive conversion frequency accuracy. The down-conversion frequency accuracy shall be within 1 kHz of the intended value for all received RF carriers. Down-conversion frequency accuracy shall be maintained for a 90-day period or more without recalibration.

4.3.6 Receive phase linearity. The RF-to-IF phase response of the reception function shall not deviate from linear by more than the following amounts:

a. ±0.2 radian over any 2-MHz segment across the instantaneous bandwidth;

b. ±0.4 radian over any 36-MHz segment across the instantaneous bandwidth;

c. ±0.5 radian over any 72-MHz segment across the instantaneous bandwidth;

d. ±0.6 radian over any 90-MHz segment across the instantaneous bandwidth;

e. ±0.7 radian over any 120-MHz segment across the instantaneous bandwidth.

4.3.7 Receive amplitude response. Amplitude variations as measured at the ET IF output (demodulation function) shall not exceed the following:

a. 1.0 dB peak to peak over any 10-MHz segment across the instantaneous bandwidth;

b. 3.0 dB peak to peak over any 120-MHz segment or smaller segment across the instantaneous bandwidth (10 MHz < segment < 120 MHz);

c. 4.0 dB peak to peak for each output frequency band listed in TABLE IITABLE II.

4.3.8 Receive phase noise. The reception function shall meet phase noise requirements as defined in 4.2.11.

4.3.9 Receive spurious output.

4.3.9.1 Continuous component. The sum of all spurious signal power within the narrowest bandwidth of interest shall be at least 10 dB below the thermal noise power within the narrowest bandwidth of interest, when measured across the terminal IF output interface.

4.3.9.2 Discrete component. No one spurious signal shall exceed the level of 20 dB below the thermal noise power within the narrowest bandwidth of interest, when measured across the terminal IF output interface.

4.3.9.3 Component conditions. Both 4.3.9.1 and 4.3.9.2 above shall be met under the following simultaneous conditions:

a. Transmitting a single CW carrier at maximum-linear power.

b. Receiving one CW carrier at any frequency over the receive band, with a level equivalent to the antenna receiving the aggregate maximum power flux density given in 4.3.2.

The narrowest bandwidth of interest shall be 64kHz, unless ET procurement documents specify a bandwidth less than 64kHz.

4.3.10 Receive spectrum inversions. No spectral inversion shall exist between any RF input and the IF output of the ET.

4.3.11 Receive signal level stability. For any setting of the receive gain and for a constant PSD level, the reception function output level shall not vary more than ±2.0 dB in any

24-h period.

4.3.12 Antenna pointing loss. The antenna pointing loss shall not exceed 0.8 dB 99.7 percent of the time. This requirement shall be met under operational conditions with no blockage or keyhole events.

4.3.13 Receive IF frequency. The IF output interface shall support one or more of the following frequency ranges below. Phase linearity requirements in 4.3.6 and the amplitude response requirements in 4.3.7 shall be met across the bandwidths below.

a. 950 to 2000 MHz limited to the required bandwidth as listed in TABLE IITABLE

II.

b. 70 ± 18 MHz;

c. 140 ± 36 MHz;

d. 700 ± 62.5 MHz

4.4 Military Ka-band antenna requirements.

4.4.1 Antenna side-lobe levels and transmit EIRP spectral density. The antenna side-lobe and EIRP spectral density requirements are described in 4.4.1.1 and 4.4.1.2.

4.4.1.1 De/λ ≥ 50. The radiation pattern of the antenna while both transmitting and receiving, including radome effects, in the geostationary orbit (GSO) plane, shall be in accordance with Recommendation ITU-R S.580-6. Recommendation ITU-R S.732-1 shall be used for statistical processing of earth station antenna side-lobe peaks to determine excess over the antenna reference pattern and conditions for acceptability of any excess. Computation of wavelength (λ) will use 30.0 GHz and 20.2 GHz as the reference transmit and receive frequencies, respectively. For reference, the mask from Recommendation ITU-R S.580-6 is outlined below:

a. G(θ) = 29-25 log10 θ (dBi) for 1° or 100 λ/De ° (whichever is larger, up to 2°) ≤ θ < 20°

b. G(θ) = -3.5 (dBi) for 20° ≤ θ ≤ 26.3°

c. G(θ) = 32-25 log10 θ (dBi), for 26.3° < θ < 48°

d. G(θ) = -10 (dBi), for 48° ≤ θ ≤ 180°

Where

G = gain relative to an isotropic antenna θ = the off-axis angle in the direction of the GSO plane referred to the main-lobe axis

De = equivalent antenna diameter

For reference, the angular regions and side-lobe peak allowed excess from Recommendation

ITU-R S.732-1 are outlined below:

a. 1 dB for θmin < θ ≤ 7°, where θmin = 1° or (100λ/De) degrees, whichever is greater

b. 3 dB for 7° < θ ≤ 9.2°

c. 3 dB for 9.2° < θ ≤ 48°

d. 10 dB for 48° < θ ≤ 180°

Note: Receive off-axis gain excursions may be considered allowable if it can be shown that relaxation of the off-axis gain results in improvement of the main beam gain.

4.4.1.2 EIRP spectral density. For all ETs, EIRP spectral density in the GSO plane shall not exceed the following:

a. EIRP spectral density(θ) = −6.4 − 25 log10 θ (dBW/Hz) for 2.0° ≤ θ < 20.0°;

b. EIRP spectral density (θ) = −38.9 (dBW/Hz) for 20.0° ≤ θ ≤ 26.3°;

c. EIRP spectral density (θ) = −3.4 − 25 log10 θ (dBW/Hz) for 26.3° < θ < 48.0°;

d. EIRP spectral density (θ) = −45.4 (dBW/Hz) for 48° ≤ θ ≤ 180°;

Where θ = the off-axis angle in the direction of the GSO plane referred to the main-lobe axis

The EIRP spectral density requirement shall be met while incorporating transmit RMS pointing errors. FIGURE 3FIGURE 3 illustrates the EIRP spectral density mask defined by the above parameters.

FIGURE 3. Ka-band EIRP spectral density mask

4.4.2 Transmit and receive antenna polarization. The antenna shall be capable of transmitting and receiving right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) (clockwise) and left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) (counterclockwise). However, military Ka-band ETs are not required to operate with simultaneous transmit of RHCP and LHCP or simultaneous receive of

LHCP and RHCP.

4.4.3 Transmit and receive antenna axial ratio. The military Ka-band transmit axial ratio shall be no greater than 1.0 dB and the receive axial ratio shall be no greater than 1.5 dB.

4.4.4 Receive antenna polarization. Deleted. See 4.4.2.

4.4.5 Receive antenna axial ratio. Deleted. See 4.4.3.

4.5 Military X-band antenna requirements.

4.5.1 Antenna side-lobe levels and transmit EIRP spectral density. The antenna side-lobe and EIRP spectral density requirements are described in 4.5.1.1 and 4.5.1.2.

4.5.1.1 De/λ ≥ 50. The radiation pattern of the antenna while both transmitting and receiving, including radome effects, in the GSO plane shall be in accordance with

Recommendation ITU-R S.580-6. Recommendation ITU-R S.732-1 shall be used for statistical processing of earth station antenna side-lobe peaks to determine excess over the antenna reference pattern and conditions for acceptability of any excess. Computation of λ will use 7900

MHz and 7250 MHz as the reference transmit and receive frequencies, respectively. The mask, angular regions, and side-lobe peak allowed excess are summarized for reference in 4.4.1.1.

Note: Receive off-axis gain excursions may be considered allowable if it can be shown that relaxation of the off-axis gain results in improvement of the main beam gain.

4.5.1.2 EIRP spectral density. For all ETs, EIRP spectral density in the GSO plane shall not exceed the following:

a. EIRP spectral density (θ) = 2.351 − 25 log10 θ (dBW/Hz) for 2.0° ≤ θ < 3.8°;

b. EIRP spectral density (θ) = −13.0 (dBW/Hz) for θ = 3.8°;

c. EIRP spectral density (θ) = 1.49 − 25 log10 θ (dBW/Hz) for 3.8° < θ < 5.0°;

d. EIRP spectral density (θ) = −3.97 − 25 log10 θ (dBW/Hz) for 5.0° ≤ θ < 6.94°;

e. EIRP spectral density (θ) = −25.0 (dBW/Hz) for 6.94° ≤ θ ≤ 12.42°;

f. EIRP spectral density (θ) = 2.35 − 25 log10 θ (dBW/Hz) for 12.42° < θ < 48.0°;

g. EIRP spectral density(θ) = −39.65 (dBW/Hz) for 48° ≤ θ ≤ 180°;

θ = the off-axis angle in the direction of the GSO plane referred to the main-lobe axis

The EIRP spectral density requirement shall be met while incorporating transmit RMS pointing errors. FIGURE 4FIGURE 4 illustrates the mask defined by the above parameters.

FIGURE 4. X-band EIRP spectral density mask

4.5.2 Transmit and receive antenna polarization. The antenna shall be capable of transmitting RHCP and receiving LHCP.

4.5.3 Transmit and receive antenna axial ratio. The X-band transmit and receive axial ratios shall each be no greater than 2.0 dB.

4.5.4 Receive antenna polarization. Deleted. See 4.5.2.

4.5.5 Receive antenna axial ratio. Deleted. See 4.5.3

4.6 Frequency references. If an ET is capable of accepting an external frequency reference, the ET shall accept an external frequency reference signal as follows:

a. Signal type: sinusoidal.

b. Frequency: either 5 MHz or 10 MHz, at least one or the other.

c. Input impedance: 50 Ω (nominal).

d. Input signal level: +6 to +16 dBm.

e. Maximum VSWR: 1.5:1.

Terminals shall include an internal frequency reference for accuracy and stability when an external frequency reference signal is not present.

4.6.1 GPS disciplined oscillator (GPSDO). For an external frequency reference that is GPS dependent, such as a GPSDO, the following requirements shall apply.

4.6.1.1 External time code input. The GPSDO shall be an approved Selective

Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) receiver or shall have the ability to connect to an external time code input (i.e., a Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR)) in accordance with

ICD-GPS-060, section “BCD Time Code”. The external input shall include a 1 pulse per second

(PPS) 40 bit serial 8421 BCD time code transmitted at 50 bps.

4.6.1.2 Frequency stability. The long-term final RF frequency stability drift when using a GPSDO shall not be greater than 1 kHz in a 90-day period without calibration and without a

GPS-aided signal (with the GPS antenna disconnected). The long-term frequency stability drift shall not be greater than 1 kHz in a 90-day period when the GPS-aided signal is active.

4.6.1.3 Allan deviation. The stability of the 10- or 5-MHz reference source shall have the Allan deviations shown in TABLE IIITABLE III. The Allan deviation values shall be met with and without a GPS-aided signal and under full vibration, temperature shock, and shock as defined in 5.2.

TABLE III. Allan deviation.

Time (s) Allan Deviation

1 <1.5E−11

10 <1.5E−11

100 <1.5E−11

1000 <1.5E−11

4.6.1.3.1 GPS Conditions. Deleted.

4.6.1.3.2 GPS receiver cold start procedure. Deleted.

4.6.1.3.3 Vibration and shock. Deleted.

4.7 System implementation loss. Total implementation loss shall be less than 2.0 dB for all modem operational parameters measured when operating in satellite loop-back. The reference used to determine implementation loss is the theoretical modem Eb/N0 performance using a MIL-STD-188-165-certified modem with quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulation, 1/2-rate convolutional encoding and Viterbi decoding (CEVD), randomizer on, and differential encoding/decoding on. Implementation loss includes the effects of traversing the ET uplink and downlink equipment, as well as the satellite. This shall be tested at low, middle, and high operational data rates.

4.8 Variable performance terminals. Terminals which fail to meet MIL-STD requirements across the full range of the terminal’s operational performance may be constrained to ensure compliance with the MIL-STD. PMs are encouraged to contact the CA at the earliest opportunity to discuss the implications of variable terminal performance to their program.

5 DETAILED REQUIREMENTS

5.1 General. Unless a specific band is identified in a paragraph, each paragraph in this section applies to all bands of operation.

5.2 Phase perturbation. The transmission function shall not change the linear phase of the output RF signal by more than 20° in 0.2 s, and the reception function shall not change the linear phase of the input RF signal by more than 20° in 0.2 s, over the range of environmental conditions over which the ET is required to operate. This shall include as a minimum:

a. Exposure to temperature deviation.

b. Exposure to vibration.

c. Exposure to shock on the outside surface of the ET, simulating maintenance, operator or other external action on the ET.

(NOTE: The ET procurement documents will provide guidance on the temperature range and rate of change, the vibration frequencies and accelerations, and any other expected environmental conditions over which the ET is required to operate.)

5.3 ET control and monitoring function. The ET shall meet the following requirements.

5.3.1 Control and monitoring parameters. As a minimum, remote and local control, monitor, and alarm (CMA) shall be provided in accordance with TABLE IVTABLE IV. For all

ET types, the composite and individual transmit carrier power shall be measured at the antenna feed for monitoring and reporting antenna feed power and EIRP. Antenna feed power may be computed from measured high-power amplifier (HPA) output power.

5.3.1.1 Transmit gain. The transmit gain, as computed, shall be within 2 dB of actual gain, neglecting any frequency dependencies in accordance with 4.2.8. Transmit gain is computed by adding (1) the up-conversion function gain, (2) the gain/loss from the up-conversion function output to the power amplifier input, (3) the power amplifier gain, and (4) transmit loss to the antenna feed.

5.3.1.2 Receive gain. The receive gain, as computed, shall be within 5 dB of actual gain.

Receive gain is computed by adding (1) the gain from the LNA input to the down-conversion function and (2) the down-conversion function gain.

5.3.2 Control response times. The ET shall meet a response time of 0.5 s for all parameters in TABLE IVTABLE IV.

5.3.3 ET remote control and monitoring interface. The ET remote control and monitoring interface shall be implemented as an IEEE 802.3IEEE 802.3-compliant Ethernet.

The interface protocol shall be via the industry standard Simple Network Management Protocol

(SNMP).

TABLE IV. ET control and monitoring parameters

Control Monitoring

Transmit gain of each up-conversion function Transmit gain setting of each up-conversion function

Frequency setting of each up-conversion function Frequency setting of each up-conversion function

Frequency setting of each up-conversion function Frequency setting of each down-conversion function

Auto-track source (frequency band) Auto-track status

Total and individual carrier power level at antenna feed

Total and individual communications carrier power level at antenna feed

Antenna pointing angles (azimuth and elevation relative to true north)

Antenna pointing angles (azimuth and elevation relative to true north)

Signal path switches (redundant equipment and waveguide switches)

Equipment fault status

-- Total transmit power level at the power amplifier output

-- Transmit gain/loss setting from the output of each up-conversion function to the input of the HPA

-- Transmit gain setting of the power amplifier

-- Receive gain setting from LNA input to each down-conversion function output

-- Receive gain setting of each down-conversion function

6 NOTES

(This section contains information of a general or explanatory nature that may be helpful but is not mandatory.)

6.1 Intended use. This standard is intended to define the military SHF SATCOM ET interfaces in terms of physical and functional performance criteria necessary to support PMs and buying activities in the acquisition of interoperable and compatible ETs, which are vital for effective joint and combined forces communication.

6.2 Acquisition requirements. Acquisition documents should specify the title, number, and date of this standard. Because the United States ratifying official for NATO

STANAG 4484, Overall Super High Frequency (SHF) Military Satellite Communications

(MILSATCOM) Interoperability Standard, did not designate MIL-STD-188-164 as the form for implementing the STANAG in the ratification document. The title, edition, and date of ratification of STANAG 4484 should be directly cited in solicitations and contracts when the

ETs will be used to communicate with NATO participating nations.

6.3 Tailoring guidance. To ensure proper application of this standard, invitations for bids, requests for proposals, and contractual statements of work (SOWs) can specify which of the requirements in section 5 of this standard apply, and should state exclusion to any non-applicable requirements (for example, environmental requirements). Specific values are modified in the appendices to this document to address specific ET types. It is highly recommended that any exclusions be coordinated with the appropriate CA to avoid any issues during ET performance certification.

6.4 Subject term (keyword) listing. The following keywords apply to this MIL-

STD.

Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS)

Ka-band, military

SATCOM

Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS)

X-band

6.5 International standardization agreement implementation. This standard implements STANAG 4484 (Edition 3), Overall Super High Frequency (SHF) Military Satellite

Communications (MILSATCOM). When changes to, revision, or cancellation of this standard is proposed, the preparing activity must coordinate the action with the U.S. National Point of

Contact for the international standardization agreement, as identified in the ASSIST database at https://assist.dla.mil.

6.6 RSS Theory. Deleted.

6.7 Antenna gain versus pointing variations. Deleted.

6.8 Accounting for pointing loss differences between uplink and downlink beams. Deleted.

6.9 Background and future considerations. This MIL-STD changes in response to changing DoD requirements and SATCOM technologies. The below table is predictive in nature, and simply highlights topics of discussion at working groups rather than provide formal guidance or direction. The following table offers corresponding background on select requirements as well as projected changes.

TABLE V. Background and Future Considerations.

MIL-STD-188-164C C1

Background and Future Considerations

Section or

Requirement Present Background Future Considerations

3.15…